Robert Clayton

Robert William Clayton, 83, was born on April 5, 1942 and passed peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at home surrounded by family with the care of Hospice. He was a generous, loving husband, father and cherished friend who will be deeply missed.

Bob is predeceased by his parents, Olive and William Clayton, his loving first wife Julie Clayton, his son Michael Clayton, and his second wife, Gail Clayton.

He is survived by his brother, Richard Clayton (Lupe) his sister-in-law-Louise Tuite, his brother-in-law-Michael (Catherine)Tuite, Children Barbara (Chuck) Lutz, Mimi (Joe) Morgan, Ann Affholder, stepchildren Gram (Lindsey) Hall, Scott Hall, Nikki (Rob) Guilfoyle, 12 grandchildren, and many other loving family members and friends.

Bob was originally from the Los Angeles area. He attended and graduated San Jose State University. This is where he met Julie. Shortly after graduation, they were married, Bob enlisted in the Air Force and the newlyweds relocated to Dover Airforce base in Delaware. He then served briefly back in Los Angeles before ending his military career with an honorable discharge in September of 1968.

The next chapter was a relocation to Vestal, NY for a job at IBM Owego in the Defense Contracts Department. Bob excelled at his position and continued to progress into management at IBM. He remained in Owego when IBM transitioned to Loral and then finally to Lockheed Martin. He eventually retired from an executive position at Lockheed Martin.

After retirement, Bob enjoyed several years of working around the family horse farm, which he found fulfilling. In 2005, at age 64, he suffered the unfortunate loss of Julie. He was blessed to find another loving wife in Gail (Hall). They enjoyed 15 years together which including frequent travel to their favorite beach locations and to the Thousand Islands, before she sadly passed away unexpectedly several months ago.

Bob accomplished great things in his life while always remaining humble. He enjoyed travel, golf and probably most of all just enjoying an evening glass of wine on his deck watching over the horses and farm. He was the rock and trusted adviser in our family and will be forever missed. His memory will live on in the many lives he has touched. He leaves behind not just heartwarming memories of times shared with him, but a true legacy.

The family would like to express gratitude to care givers Shari Abbott and Lee Thurber and Guthrie Hospice.

The family will receive friends at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main Street, Vestal, NY on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 9:30am-10:30am with a Memorial Mass to follow at 10:30am. A Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family in the Chenango Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Robert’s name to Food Bank of Southern Tier, 388 Upper Oakwood Ave., Elmira, NY 14903 or foodbankst.org